ANANTAPUR, FEB. 18. `Maha Shivaratri'
was celebrated with religious fervour at all important Shiva temples in the
district and at Puttaparthi. Sri Satya Saibaba produced three `atma lingas' as
part of `lingodbhava' this evening. Devotees from across the country gathered in
large numbers at Puttaparthi to witness the lingodbhava programme. The rush was
heavy as media carried the report that Satya Saibaba is likely to produce the `atma
lingas' on the day of Maha Shivaratri.

Those who were present on the occasion
were the Karnataka Governor, T.V. Chaturvedi, the Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna,
the Union Minister of State for Home, I.D. Swamy, the former Chief Minister of
Maharashtra, Vilasrao Deshmukh, the Sri Lankan MP, Bandarunayake, the District
Collector, Y.V. Anuradha, the Superintendent of Police, Anil Kumar, and other
officials.

Sri Satya Saibaba produced one `atma
linga' at 5.15 p.m. and two more at 6.15 p.m. amidst the packed Sai Kulwanth
Hall in Prashanti Nilayam. The atma lingas came out of Sri Saibaba's mouth.

A large congregation of devotees from
the district and the neighbouring Karnataka gathered at Hemavati and Lepakshi.

Lingodbhavam’ at Puttaparthi

The Deccan
Herald

Bhagawan Satya Sai Baba performed
the annual miracle of Lingodbhavam--pulling out a golden Linga from his mouth--this
year tooBy SRIKANTH SRINIVASA
DH News Service, PUTTAPARTHI

Sri Satya Sai Baba performed the ‘Lingodbhavam’ miracle thrice at about 6 pm on
Wednesday evening . The spectacle was telecast live on the spiritual television
channel Sanskaar TV. ‘Lingodbhavam’ is an annual miracle performed by Sri Satya
Sai Baba to mark the festive occasion of Mahashivaratri. This evening, Sai Baba
brought out the Linga from his mouth after consuming a lot of water. He left the
dais and performed the miracle twice again, but away from the glare of
television cameras.

Incidentally, mediapersons were denied entry to witness the spectacle. When this
reporter and the photographer sought entry into Prashanti Nilayam, (the ashram
of Sri Satya Sai Baba) early this morning, security personnel refused entry and
a senior security personnel curtly said, “The ashram is not a public place. No
one is admitted into the ashram without permission. This includes even the
media. No cameras and bags are allowed inside. Pictures of the Lingodbhavam will
be provided by the ashram authorities.”

Despite a formal request sent to the ashram secretary by fax a day early, the
ashram authorities did not permit the media team to enter the premises. Efforts
to meet the secretary of the ashram (Mr Chakravarthy) proved futile. Though he (Mr
Chakravarthy) was very much present in his office, he refused to meet the
reporters.

Last year, Sri Satya Sai Baba had brought out a golden Linga from his mouth
measuring about three inches in length by waving his hand in full view of his
devotees. The crowd was surprised to witness the second Linga from his mouth
barely three minutes after producing the first one.

It is believed that the Linga is a symbol, a sign and an illustration of the
endless and the limitless. Sai Baba’s devotees have been imploring him not to
suffer the ordeal of bringing out the Linga every year at the cost of the god
man’s health.
Governor T N Chaturvedi and Chief Minister S M Krishna were among the VIPs who visited
the ashram for Sri Satya Sai Baba’s darshan.

Long queues of devotees were seen since morning with men and women waiting for
their turn to have a darshan of their Bhagwan.

Posted on 18th
February, 2004 (Evening Darshan)

Sai Ram

Baba manifested 3 lingams tonight before 6:30.

The first one came as he was giving a discourse. It came as liquid gold which
took a few moments to harden. It is for the college boys and will be in their
lounge. It represents how special they are.

It also represents the start of a new era.

Baba then tried coughing up more but couldn't. He got pale, weak and sickly
looking. He couldn't get up. A chair with wheel was brought over and several men
helped him to the chair. He was wheeled into the the interview room where 2 more
lingams were manifested.

Note by
webmaster: Others who were present described the incident as "Sai Baba collapsed
and had to be carried out in a very bad state"

A short time later, Baba came walking out looking young and healthy. "Miracle! Miracle!"

He announced that had gone out of his body and when he returned his body was
healed. There is nothing wrong with his body.

His body is only here to benefit humanity. He will continue to dedicate his life
for that purpose.

Since when does "liquid gold" harden in
just a few moments to a perfectly-formed egg ??

I vividly recall reading a passage from
SB himself that was quoted in the book 'BSSSB: A life of God as Man' by M.N.
Rao. In that quote, SB himself said something to the effect that the lingam is a
soft pliable substance in his stomach and remains in that state while travelling
up his aesophagus. It is only when it reaches his throat that it starts to
harden which is why he is always on the point of choking. The lingam then shoots
out of his mouth, perfectly formed within his throat.